Kentucky Derby

The locals in Louisville, Kentucky, take their sports seriously. Thousands of people converge on Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby to see 3-year-old Thoroughbreds race. The annual competition, held on the first Saturday in May, ends the 2-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. We can’t forget about the college basketball buzz around the city about 2012 NCAA Basketball Champs University of Kentucky Wildcats, the only team with the most all-time wins in the history of college basketball.9601280

The locals in Louisville, Kentucky, take their sports seriously. Thousands of people converge on Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby to see 3-year-old Thoroughbreds race. The annual competition, held on the first Saturday in May, ends the 2-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. We can’t forget about the college basketball buzz around the city about 2012 NCAA Basketball Champs University of Kentucky Wildcats, the only team with the most all-time wins in the history of college basketball.

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Pegasus Parade

Pegasus Parade

The Pegasus Parade is the Kentucky Derby Festival’s longest running event. Marching bands, floats, notable celebs and locals -- as well as inflatable characters, including the Pegasus -- are some of the reasons why this is a popular must-see event for both locals and visitors. The Great Steamboat Race and Thunder Over Louisville are also a couple not-to-be-missed events.9601280

The Pegasus Parade is the Kentucky Derby Festival’s longest running event. Marching bands, floats, notable celebs and locals -- as well as inflatable characters, including the Pegasus -- are some of the reasons why this is a popular must-see event for both locals and visitors. The Great Steamboat Race and Thunder Over Louisville are also a couple not-to-be-missed events.

David Kidd

Proof of Main

Proof of Main

Proof on Main, located inside the 21c Museum Hotel, is a must-see stop when visiting Louisville. Esquire Magazine called the restaurant “a favorite for locals and visitors alike.” The restaurant supports local farming by using locally-grown ingredients in its menu items. And at the restaurant’s bar, pull up a barstool and enjoy sampling more than 50 types of Kentucky bourbon. The restaurant compliments its culinary artistry by featuring rotating contemporary art exhibitions, curated by 21c Museum.9601280

Proof on Main, located inside the 21c Museum Hotel, is a must-see stop when visiting Louisville. Esquire Magazine called the restaurant “a favorite for locals and visitors alike.” The restaurant supports local farming by using locally-grown ingredients in its menu items. And at the restaurant’s bar, pull up a barstool and enjoy sampling more than 50 types of Kentucky bourbon. The restaurant compliments its culinary artistry by featuring rotating contemporary art exhibitions, curated by 21c Museum.

Edsel Little, Flickr

Lynn’s Paradise Café

Lynn’s Paradise Café

Lynn’s Paradise Café serves American food with a Southern twist. The walnut-crusted chicken, fried-green tomato BLT, World Famous Bloody Mary and mint julep are a couple items on the menu. Bourbons Bistro, Limestone, The Comfy Cow, Mark’s Feed Store, Jack Fry’s Restaurant and Toast on Market are few other places we’d recommend you try when visiting the Derby City.9601280

Lynn’s Paradise Café serves American food with a Southern twist. The walnut-crusted chicken, fried-green tomato BLT, World Famous Bloody Mary and mint julep are a couple items on the menu. Bourbons Bistro, Limestone, The Comfy Cow, Mark’s Feed Store, Jack Fry’s Restaurant and Toast on Market are few other places we’d recommend you try when visiting the Derby City.

Katherine Wheeler, Flickr

Muhammad Ali Center

Muhammad Ali Center

Boxing great Muhammad Ali was born and raised in Louisville. The philanthropist and social activist, and his wife Lonnie, started the Ali center as a way to honor the sports legend, and to educate the public by hosting numerous special events. Other must-see Louisville attractions include the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory, Louisville Zoo, Frazier International History Museum, or take a stroll down the city’s Riverwalk.9601280

Boxing great Muhammad Ali was born and raised in Louisville. The philanthropist and social activist, and his wife Lonnie, started the Ali center as a way to honor the sports legend, and to educate the public by hosting numerous special events. Other must-see Louisville attractions include the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory, Louisville Zoo, Frazier International History Museum, or take a stroll down the city’s Riverwalk.

Local Louisville, Flickr

Germantown Neighborhood

Germantown Neighborhood

Louisville is made up of a mix of different neighborhoods, including Highlands, Jeffersontown, Old Louisville, NuLu, Middleton, Crescent Hill and Lyndon. Germantown (pictured) -- settled by German immigrants in the 1870s -- is slowly transitioning to a younger, more educated demographic. In this neighborhood, it’s not uncommon to find renovated homes complete with gardens, bee hives and backyard chickens.9601280

Louisville is made up of a mix of different neighborhoods, including Highlands, Jeffersontown, Old Louisville, NuLu, Middleton, Crescent Hill and Lyndon. Germantown (pictured) -- settled by German immigrants in the 1870s -- is slowly transitioning to a younger, more educated demographic. In this neighborhood, it’s not uncommon to find renovated homes complete with gardens, bee hives and backyard chickens.

Southern Foodways Alliance, Flickr

The Seelbach Hilton Hotel

The Seelbach Hilton Hotel

Take a step back in time, and stay at the Seelbach Hilton Hotel. Built in 1905 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Seelbach Hotel’s grand ambiance inspired author F. Scott’s Fitzgerald to use the hotel as a backdrop for Tom and Daisy’s wedding in his novel, “The Great Gatsby.” For other options on where to stay, try The Galt House, Camberley Brown, 21c Museum Hotel, Central Park Bed and Breakfast or the Rocking Horse Manor Bed and Breakfast.9601280

Take a step back in time, and stay at the Seelbach Hilton Hotel. Built in 1905 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Seelbach Hotel’s grand ambiance inspired author F. Scott’s Fitzgerald to use the hotel as a backdrop for Tom and Daisy’s wedding in his novel, “The Great Gatsby.” For other options on where to stay, try The Galt House, Camberley Brown, 21c Museum Hotel, Central Park Bed and Breakfast or the Rocking Horse Manor Bed and Breakfast.

Local Louisville, Flickr

Embassy Suites Louisville

Embassy Suites Louisville

If you’re visiting Louisville on a budget, we suggest you stay at the Embassy Suites Louisville (pictured), Fairfield Inn and Suites Louisville North or the Louisville Marriott Downtown.9601280

If you’re visiting Louisville on a budget, we suggest you stay at the Embassy Suites Louisville (pictured), Fairfield Inn and Suites Louisville North or the Louisville Marriott Downtown.

Embassy Suites

Downtown Louisville

Downtown Louisville

Downtown Louisville is the largest central business district in Kentucky, and it’s the oldest neighborhood in Louisville. The Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, Louisville Glassworks, Louisville Slugger Field, Waterfront Park, Riverfront Plaza, KFC Yum! Center and Early Time Distillery are a few attractions travelers can visit in this neighborhood.9601280

Downtown Louisville is the largest central business district in Kentucky, and it’s the oldest neighborhood in Louisville. The Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft, Louisville Glassworks, Louisville Slugger Field, Waterfront Park, Riverfront Plaza, KFC Yum! Center and Early Time Distillery are a few attractions travelers can visit in this neighborhood.

Thinkstock

Belle of Louisville

Belle of Louisville

Take a ride on the Belle of Louisville, the oldest operating steamboat on the Mississippi River waterway system. Built in 1914, the Belle and the more modern paddle-wheeler, Spirit of Jefferson, carry passengers along the Ohio River for 2-hours, ranging in price from $8 to $16 per person.9601280

Take a ride on the Belle of Louisville, the oldest operating steamboat on the Mississippi River waterway system. Built in 1914, the Belle and the more modern paddle-wheeler, Spirit of Jefferson, carry passengers along the Ohio River for 2-hours, ranging in price from $8 to $16 per person.

Daniele Lobo, Flickr

Bike Louisville

Bike Louisville

Hop on a bike and explore Louisville, thanks to the Bike Louisville program. A local and visitor can rent a bike and enjoy some of the city’s paths, including Riverwalk Trail or Levee Trail. There are also metro paths that are more suitable for bikers. Check out the Bike Louisville website for more information.9601280

Hop on a bike and explore Louisville, thanks to the Bike Louisville program. A local and visitor can rent a bike and enjoy some of the city’s paths, including Riverwalk Trail or Levee Trail. There are also metro paths that are more suitable for bikers. Check out the Bike Louisville website for more information.

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The Capitol Records Tower, located in the Hollywood Boulevard commercial and entertainment district on Vine Street, was built in 1956, and is considered one of the city's historic landmarks.9601280

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